"Savings By The Bell - July 2015"

 It's time to save some money! Get ready for the July edition of "Savings by the Bell" - a special installment of SAVED BY THE BELL where we take a look at five ways you can save some cash. Let us know if the tips work for you!

SAVINGS BY THE BELL

THRIFT SHOP:
Have you ever shopped at a thrift store? You may be able to find some hidden treasures for a bargain! A 2014 survey conducted by Savers found that 47% of Americans shop in thrift stores and 52% say they do it because it feels like a treasure hunt. Sure, some items leave a lot to be desired. However, some people donate good merchandise because they don't have enough space for them or they don't fit anymore. If it's your first time shopping at a thrift store, here's some advice: your standard rule should be to closely inspect any item you buy and check for damages. Make sure you thoroughly wash any clothing you buy. You don't know where the merchandise has been!

I NEED A DOLLAR:

Discounts can be found at the dollar store, if you know what to buy. Food storage containers are something we all use and need, right? Why pay $3.00 for a name-brand food container at the grocery store, when you can buy the same one for a $1? The dollar store is also a great place to buy name-brand cleaning supplies for less. Are you having a party? A helium balloon can cost you more than $3.00, if you don't buy it at the dollar store. Other party supplies such as gift bags, wrapping paper and ribbons will also cost you less. I love bubble bath, but have found out that this purchase can be a crap shoot at a dollar store. Some brands bubble up nicely, others not so much.


I DON'T WANNA MISS A THING:
Have you been watching all of the drama in Greece this week and its impact on global markets? Events like this may have you wondering if you should redistribute the money in your 401-k every time the market dips or rises significantly. The smart answer is no. Periodically rebalancing your 401-k is a wise thing to do, but reacting off of the news of the day is not the best way to handle your investment.  It is impossible to predict the market's ups and downs. If you're a smart investor, your portfolio contains a mix of stocks and bonds. This allows you to participate when stock prices are climbing and gives you some protection when they dive. If you move your money every time the markets go up and down, not only will you end up losing out on money when the market normalizes; you will also end up driving yourself crazy.  

DRIVE:

A majority of us are hitting the open road this summer. A study by GasBuddy found that 73% of people will be traveling between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with 83% planning to take at least two trips.  If you're traveling across different states, you probably will need to fill your gas tank several times. How do you find the best deals? Download the GasBuddy app on your phone. The app shows real-time prices at all gas stations across the country so you can find the cheapest station to fill up when you are driving.

COOL:
We all want to stay cool in the summer, but how can you keep comfortable and save money? The Department of Energy says heating and cooling accounts for more than half of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes. Air conditioners use about 5% of all of the electricity produced in the U.S., costing homeowners more than $11 billion a year in energy costs.  Do you have a programmable thermostat? You can save money on your cooling bill by simply lowering your thermostat temperature when you are asleep or away from home. Set the thermostat to return to your desired temperature right before you get home. The Department of Energy says it could save you up to 10% in cooling costs a year.

You've just been SAVED BY THE BELL!!